Is a Bigger Hula Hoop Easier?

Let me just cut to the chase:

The short answer is yes, a bigger hula hoop is easier to learn how to hula hoop with than a smaller hula hoop in almost all cases, especially if you’re just starting out, or you are plus size. 

The only time that I would not say that a bigger hula hoop is easier would be in a situation where the hoop is so ginormous that it’s hard to manipulate it at all. But you have to get into absolutely massive sizes for this to happen so it’s a non-issue.

In fact, one of my favorite things to tell new hula hoopers is that there is no such thing as a hula hoop that is too big.

The reason I love to say this is because most people tend to buy a hoop that is way too small when first starting out.

So it’s important for me to get the truth out to people before they try a hoop that’s too small and give up without realizing all they needed was a bigger hoop.

So, why is a bigger hula hoop easier?

Because the more space there is between your body and the hoop itself, the slower the hoop will move. This gives your body more time to react and keep the rhythm going. The smaller the hoop is, the faster you have to be able to move to keep it from falling.

So as you might have figured out by now, people with larger bodies will have a much easier time learning to hula hoop on a bigger hula hoop. 

That’s why we have a full service custom hoop shop at Ruby Hooping. We are the only brand that makes a point of including all hoop sizes so that everyone can enjoy the beautiful art of hula hoop dance.

Does a bigger hula hoop give you less of a workout?

Good question. The answer is no. While your body may not be moving as fast as with a smaller hoop, you will still need to engage more muscles than you think in order to keep the hoop on your body and not crashing to the ground. 

Low intensity should never be confused with easy. Some of the best workouts of my life have been executing controlled, calculated movements. 

Learning to hula hoop is all about exploring your body and allowing yourself to use the full range of muscle as well as motion to get what you want out of the hoop.

Hula hooping is not something you will learn overnight, but the great thing about that is it will keep you interested and motivated for years to come.

Hula hoop dancing is like painting. You have all the colors on your pallet and all the ideas in your mind and you can spend the rest of your life coming up with endless ways to bring it all together.

I definitely recommend starting with a bigger hula hoop at first. You’ll find that once you gain some experience, you’ll want to try tons of different sizes of hoops, and it will soon become your new favorite thing to collect.

You can check out our beginner hula hoops here.

How do I know all this stuff?

I’ve been teaching hula hooping to people of all sizes, ages and abilities for a decade now. I’ve also built custom sized hoops by the tens of thousands. 

I’ve made it my life’s mission to ensure that everyone feels hula hooping is accessible to them.

Feel free to stick around and read some more. My goal is for you, yes you! to feel excited about exercise again. To feel grounded and like you have something that works for you and your body. To feel your creative juices flow through the art of hoop dance.

Did you know there are many styles of hula hooping? Take our quiz to find out which style you gravitate to the most.